What Is Lupus?

What is Lupus or SLE? You may have heard of this disease or know someone who has it. You may have some of the symptoms. Lupus definition and symptoms listed.

Lupus, SLE, or Systemic Lupus Erythematosis. What is this complex and misunderstood disease? Many people have heard of it, but most do not know what it is, or believe it is a skin condition. This is far from the truth. Lupus is a very complex disease that affects thousands of people.

Lupus or SLE is a disease of the immune system, or an autoimmune disease. It can affect every part of the body, every organ. The word systemic means it affects every system or organ in the body. The word Lupus means wolf. The word Erythematosis means redness. The facial rash is supposed to resemble the bite of a wolf.

In SLE, the body develops antibodies that react against the person's own normal tissue. Sort of like the body is allergic to itself. The disease is very unpredictable and every person's lupus is different. No two are alike. There are many symptoms. Some may have two or three of the symptoms and not the others, someone else may have some of the others. Lupus usually affects young women, men and children can have it also. It is NOT contagious. SLE usually has flares or exacerbations (when disease and symptoms are bad) and remissions (when you may not even know you have a disease)

How do I get Lupus?

Lupus is being studied. It is believed several things play a part in the development of this disease. 1- Immune system dysfunction, it goes out of wack. 2- Genetics, though there is no single lupus gene, it is believed that certian genes abnormalities that are present in the disease are are inherited. 3-Environmetal factors such as exposure to sun, stress, chemicals and viruses can trigger the onset of the disease.

See a doctor, preferably a Rheumatologist or Immunologist, who specializes in these types of disorders.

-Rest
-well balanced diet
-protection from UV rays, and direct sunlight
-medications incluse NSAIDS, which are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
-follow your doctor's care and advise
-live your life, research Lupus, so you are well prepared. Educate yourself and your family so they can understand and be supportive.